Imagine you could take a boat out on the water for a relaxing day out with family and friends, but without the cost of boat ownership or the need for a boat licence.
When Nick Tyrrell introduced the electric picnic boat hire business GoBoat in 2017 he was inspired by his experience on an overseas holiday.
“The day on an electric boat was the only thing I could talk about when I came home. It had been so accessible,” he says.
“My inspiration for the business was to give people access to the water, to enjoy freedom, relaxation and fun, without needing a boat licence,” Nick says.
How GoBoat is changing the face of boat rentals
He was determined to use the business to change how people viewed boat hire.
“Unlike the typical boat rental with a noisy motor where you power out to a destination, fish and then return, GoBoat is all about the journey,” he says.
“Think cruising at a gentle pace, with a picnic and a glass of wine, to enjoy the simple pleasures of Australia’s waterways.
“This is a rewarding experience for everyone, and we get such positive feedback,” he says.
“There are no worries about fumes, smells and noise. The boats are silent, so they are environmentally friendly, and we have won some awards for that,” Nick says.
The Danish-designed picnic boats are constructed in Australia from fibreglass which uses recycled PET bottles instead of virgin glass and powered by a state-of-the-art German electric motor.
Each electric boat features a picnic table and shade cover and can accommodate up to eight people on board. And GoBoat is not just a brilliant family and friends outing – it’s pet-friendly too.
“It’s not unusual for customers to bring a dog on board – we’ve even had cats out on the water!” Nick reveals.
No boat licence required
He emphasises that customers can operate the water craft without a licence. “They are very simple to operate, and that leans into the feeling of freedom,” he says.
“We conduct comprehensive safety briefings and show customers how to use the boats, provide them with a map and show where they can go and where dangers might be.
“All boats are GPS monitored in real time, so customers receive a warning if they approach an area that needs extra caution,” he says.
The local GoBoat team patrols the area – a team comprises a manager, assistant manager, and a few casual staff. In Queensland there’s a manager at each location, and the assistant manager travels between the points.
Over the seven years he has been running the business Nick has built up an impressive operation. There are more than 70 craft in the GoBoat fleet, and more than 100 employees.
“We’re in five cities – Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne – and there are a few more sites in the pipeline. We’re just beginning the franchise journey,” he says.
Launching the franchise with a robust framework
“When I launched the business, people thought I was crazy,” he says. “I had never driven a boat before, I had no navigation experience. But I know anyone can step into the business and operate it well with the systems in place. In fact I’m a great case study for a franchisee!” he says.
While Nick was a boating novice when he started GoBoat, he did bring significant franchise experience that forms the framework for the business.
“GoBoat is a very well systemised business. I spent 10 years with McDonald’s, the Freedom Group, and Gloria Jean’s Coffees, all businesses built around systemisation,” Nick reveals.
Add in low operating costs and straightforward maintenance, and GoBoat has plenty of appeal for business owners.
““GoBoat is an experience business. We are empowering people to make memories with their friends, to try something new, a slow-paced adventure,” Nick says.